Host of artists lined up for Arundel Festival’s free Gallery Trail

The 2015 Arundel Gallery Trail, the 27th since 1988, looks set to be another “vintage year”.

As in most years there are more than 60 venues and more than 100 local, national and international artists exhibiting a wide range of innovative, unique and creative work.

David Peduzzi with printing block

The crucial difference each year is the artists themselves and the unique, imaginative and amazingly creativity they bring.

These include established and emerging painters, sculptors, photographers, jewellers, furniture makers, textile artists, illustrators, 3D creators, weavers and many more.

Now firmly regarded as one of the main elements of the annual Arundel Festival, The Gallery Trail venues, most within the historic old town centre, provide visitors the chance to see some beautiful houses and gardens, not normally open to the public.

In addition the venues, which are all free provide visitors the opportunity browse venues in between other music or drama events going on.

Wild Willy Barrett with one of his carved wood pieces

There is something for the serious art collector as well as those just looking for something to “match the sofa”. It is also a great opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work in the houses, gardens, shops and galleries of Arundel.

Highlights for 2015 include:

David Peduzzi, wood engraver will show his wood engravings at the Book Ferret on the High Street and will also demonstrate the his printmaking process using a old press.

Award winning textile designer Frieda Peppercorn will show here work alongside her ceramicist mother Fanny Peppercorn at 1 School Lane, with painter Karin Moorhouse. Frieda Peppercorn was selected as one of the 24 graduates to be a part of Texprint, exhibiting in London and at Indigo, Paris.

LOCA (Littlehampton’s Organisation of Contemporary Arts will be resident at the Victoria Institute for some performance as well as visual art.

Art Invisible, an organisation to help people with learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD) will present works at 17 Kings Street. This innovative enterprise provides an opportunity for individuals with LDD in Hampshire and West Sussex to develop their artistic talents and be involved in all aspects of business.

Lesley French and Jaqueline Jermyn will be giving painting workshops at 2 Gaugemaster Way, a new venue by Ford railway station.

Mark Phillips in conjunction with Arundel Museum will present a selection from his/their large collection of Arundel photographs.

Wild Willy Barrett, famous for his punk rock single with Jon Otway “Really Free” will present another of his talents – wood work at 10 Queen Street

The Soldier with Horse by Mark & Rebecca Ford commemorating 100 years since WWI will remain until 2018 on the Causeway Roundabout

The Arundel Brewery Beermat Competition 2015, where three images out of 45 submitted works were chosen by judges Samantha and Stuart Walker (Arundel Brewery) and Arundel’s new Mayor James Stewart. The winning artists are Frieda Peppercorn, Steve Carroll and Nigel Mason, their artworks will be printed onto beermats promoting the Gallery Trail and Festival in pubs from July.

With so many professional and gifted amateur artists resident locally, who for the last 50 years or so have made Arundel their home, it is no wonder that this open house art event keeps people returning year after year.

All venues are open from 2pm to 5.30pm weekdays and midday to 5.30pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, for the whole ten days of the Festival from 22-31 August (ending on the August Bank Holiday Monday).

Entry to all venues is free, and most if not all the work on view will be for sale.

Artists:

There are several established artists who have taken part in several, if not most Trails: Andy Waite (painting), Christopher Baker (painter/printmaker); Matt Bodimeade (painting); Emma Rimer (paintings); Felix Anaut (abstract expressionism) and Amy Fathers (paper sculptures). Visitors like to see their new work each year to see how it has developed over the years.

Groups taking part include Sussex Sculptors and LOCA (Littlehampton’s Organisation for Contemporary Arts),

A full list if available on request and can be viewed on the website (www.arundelgallerytrail.co.uk)

Venues:

As with most years, many venues are on Tarrant and Maltravers Streets, but the more adventurous will benefit from walking further to King Street, London Road, School Lane and River Road (amongst others). Tarrant Street is named after the Roman name for the River Arun, along whose banks it used to run.

Historic houses taking part include the Georgian Chepynge House and Victorian Old Market House on Maltravers Street (formerly Chepynge Street or Old Chipping); The Duff Gallery on Tarrant Street, the former studio of the late Derek Davis, a joint-founder of the Gallery Trail and well known local artist, now showing the work of his son; and Old Bank House formerly the home of Henty’s Bank, which was taken over by Lloyds Bank and whose horse logo/symbol was also adopted by Lloyds Bank.